Fambul, Una Kushe oo and Happy New Year!.
After what feels like forever since we last published a blog, The Young Sierra Leonean CIC is proud to present our round-up of 2024. Although it was a relatively quiet year for us as an organization, 2024 has been an amazing year for the Sierra Leone creative space both at home and across the diaspora with hit movie premiers, theatre plays, festivals, sold-out performances and much more. This article rounds up some of the outstanding achievements by Sierra Leoneans and adjacent creatives, and also showcases emerging talents, giving them the recognition they deserve.
Without further ado, strap in for a full ride on the front street of Sierra Leone Creative Achievement here in England.
SWIM, AUNTY, SWIM!: A MULTI-AWARD WINNING MASTERPIECE
Siana Bangura’s enlightening new play Swim, Aunty, Swim! premiered at the Belgrade Theatre in England on May 21st running until June 1st. The heartwarming story follows Fatu, who in search of a new life, leaves London and forms a friendship with fellow members of her church in Coventry, Aunty Blessing and Aunty Ama. On Ama’s whim, the trio embark on a watery challenge in the local swimming pool, unexpectedly finding themselves on the path of self-discovery. It is a powerful depiction of rebirth and healing after heartbreak and the bond between older African women through the power of water.
Alongside its critically acclaimed run, Swim, Aunty, Swim! won Best New Play at the UK Theatre Awards 2024 and writer Siana Bangura won Best Playwright at the Black British Theatre Award 2024. In her speech, Siana thanked all who believed in her including her English teachers who nurtured her love for poetry and theatre, and her mother for being supportive of her dreams and cheering her on. She also encouraged writers to keep developing their craft, stating ‘Keep going, believe in your artistic voice and sauce before anyone else…writing is a journey and practice.’
CHRISTIE FEWRY: ONE TO WATCH
Christie Fewry, London-based actor, model and former Miss Sierra Leone UK starred as a lead actress in the play The Great Privation: How to Flip Ten Cents into a Dollar, which premiered at Theatre503 on May 14th and ran until June 1st. The story, centered in 1830s Pennsylvania explores the impacts of grave robbing and the desecration of deceased black people for medical research during epidemics.
LABRUM X ARSENAL X ADIDAS Collaboration
Labrum London collaboration with Arsenal, Adidas and Sierra Leone National Olympics Team. Foday Dumbuya, a British Sierra Leone, founder and ceo of Labrum London , was the designer of various collections this year but his collaboration with Arsenal and Adidas third kit featuring Pan Africanist Colors, designed by an immigrant. His Journey of Triumphs collection was showcased at the Emirates stadium. He also showcased his love for his country by designing the kit used by the Sierra Leonean Olympics Team, a true testament to keep chasing your dreams as now his collection is now on display on the global stage.
SLACFEST ALUMNI STANDING OVATION AT FOR BLACK BOYS
Sierra Leone Arts and Culture Festival alumni, Mohamed Mansaray, starred in the multi-award winning play For Black Boys which received a standing ovation at the end of its nine week run at the Garrick Theatre in London from February 29th to June 1st.
SOMEWHERE BETWEEN: A SPOKEN WORD THEATRICAL DEBUT
British-Sierra Leonean poet and filmmaker Abu B Yillah, launched his debut solo poetry show Somewhere Between at A Pinch of Vault Festival on February 22nd to a sold-out audience. The Show returned on June 14 at Poplar Union to critically acclaimed reviews. As a cultural curator, Abu’s thought provoking poems reflect his passion for his roots, diving deep into his nostalgic journey in discovering his bi-continental identities and navigating fatherhood as a third culture migrant in Britain
SIERRA LEONE CULTURAL DAY AT AFRICA CENTRE
The Sierra Leone Cultural Day festivities were held at the Africa Theatre in London on July 5th curated by Young Sierra Leonean CIC in collaboration with the National Tourist Board–Sierra Leone. The event was packed with colourful activities such as Dave Brown’s photography exhibition showcasing images of Sierra Leone, performances from artists Tony AS & Asabi Hawah, traditional drumming, an enlightening cultural talk by Fea Fasuluku and a speech by Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis. To top it off, attendees were treated to a live stream from Freetown with a display of poetry, music, dance performances and mouth-watering native food along with networking with the founder of Shwen Shwen and author of the cookbook Sweet Salone, Maria Bradford.
PRISON PLAITS: A THEATRICAL MASTERPIECE
London-based British-Sierra Leonean writer and director, Shamila Sulaiman’s play Prison Plaits sold out for all six performances at the Tower Theatre in London during its run from July 31st to August 4th. The comedy-drama tells a story about two incarcerated women running a salon at Her Mejesty’s Prison (HMP) Goldsmiths who teamed up to solve the murder of their fellow friend and inmate. Other works by Shamila include Roll Your Sleeves With Eve and Marry Me Now, Love Me Later.
SLACFEST CO-CURATOR DEBUT U.S. PERFORMANCE AT THE SIERRA LEONE DIASPORA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
After a successful debut solo show, Abu Yillah entered the international radar and was invited to perform part of his show ‘Somewhere Between’ at the second annual Sierra Leone Diaspora Investment Conference held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The one-day event unites over two hundred Sierra Leonean-American policymakers, entrepreneurs and young leaders to discuss Sierra Leone’s economic growth.
GBOROKA
African Women And Their Stories’ (A.W. A. T. S) short film Gboroka lends its weight to the exploration of female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone. The film’s director Hickmatu Leigh describes it as a ‘heartfelt and intense cinematic journey diving into the rich tapestry and beauty of the Bondo culture.’ It explores the issues of female genital mutilation within the Bondo culture. The film gained widespread recognition including being selected for Newark’s 2024 Women’s International Film Festival. The film premiered at the Bintumani Conference Center in Freetown on October 4th.
DRIZILIK LIVE IN LONDON 2024
Sierra Leone’s premier rapper and biggest export Drizilik shut down The Clapham Grand in an electrifying Headline Show on November 15th, alongside guest performances from emerging homegrown talents Boii, D4nny and The Therapist, with UK support from ISAT and Innocent. Fans were treated to a special guest performance from legendary British Sierra Leonean actor & entrepreneur Idris Elba.
Drizilik is famous for his versatility in his music with a Kriofusion of Afrobeats, Bubu, Milo jazz, Hip-Hop and more. He has graced stages from Lagos to Washington and has been nominated for MTV Africa Music Award for Listener’s Choice.
CHRISTMAS GAMES NIGHT: ROM-COM FILM SOUND RECORDED BY ABU B. YILLAH
The Black British romantic-comedy ‘Christmas Games Night’ which premiered on November 28th at the Genesis Cinema in London was sound recorded by our very own Abu B. Yillah, Produced by The Romcom Guys, Christmas Games Night follows the adventure of three friends reuniting years after university for a festive games night, where love triangles, personal growth and chaotic misadventures challenge their friendships revealing how much they have changed. This hilariously relatable film explores the dynamics between close friends and begs the question ’ Would you confess your feelings to your friend?’(Let us hear your opinion in the comment section)
There you have it, Sierra Leone creatives accomplished so much in 2024 and we have much more to come in 2025…
“NA TU HAN DE KROB BAK”. We must support our creatives, give them their flowers and nurture an environment that allows their creativity bloom. Until next time we wish you season’s greetings and a prosperous 2025!!.
Ps; Anticipate the return of SLACFest.